Rooms Hotel Tbilisi

Even before arriving at Rooms Hotel Tbilisi, the staff had proved themselves to be excellent communicators, speedily emailing back with answers to each of my various pre-travel enquiries. The hotel is one of three Mr & Mrs Smith properties in Georgia and prides itself on slick, accessible luxury. It is owned by Adjara Group who also have several other hotels and eateries across the capital and country.

Arriving early on an overnight flight from London, we dragged ourselves through the Rooms Hotel Tbilisi doors at 7.30am on a beautiful, crisp autumn morning. Thankfully the hotel was only a half-hour taxi ride from the airport. We were greeted warmly, quickly checked in and happily they let us have our room, a few hours before normal check-in time. It was a relief to climb into the huge, indulgently comfortable bed for a few hours of napping before exploring the town. 

The hotel was a comforting home-away-from-home to return to each evening. Located in the fashionable Vera neighborhood and there were plenty of restaurants and bars nearby. Adjara Group also owns Stamba Hotel next door where there were several stylish eateries including a brilliant chocolaterie and coffee shop. Rooms Hotel, formerly a Soviet-era publishing house, has retained many of its stylish industrial features (iron-girded windows, metro tiles, painted-brick walls). It’s spacious and decadent with dark lighting and dramatic decor, and I especially loved the floor-to-ceiling bookcases in the entrance lobby and the sleek cocktail bar. 

We stayed in a Signature King Room on the fourth floor of the hotel. It was spacious with regal red-and-black-patterned wallpaper, a big freestanding bath tub and a desk and armchair set, all in the main bedroom. A toilet cubicle and a shower room were placed at either end. We were extremely comfortable there, and it was tempting to have a long (jet-lagged) lie-in every morning, as the bed was far too comfortable to leave. Bath salts and Prija toiletries were available in the room for use as well as tea- and coffee-making kit and a minibar. The room was cleaned regularly and we came home each night to edible treats. My only qualm was the lack of plug sockets, which made charging my many devices each night quite tricky. 

Breakfast at the hotel was presented downstairs as a buffet, with a vast choice of continental treats, an egg and pancake station for on-demand orders, and some local Georgian delicacies. The pastries and bread are all made in-house at the bakery, and I was particularly impressed by the buttery, flaky croissants; served straight from the oven. Guests or visitors can also eat in the Kitchen restaurant, which serves a range of local and international dishes for a casual but delicious dining experience. We also tried the hotel’s other eatery Lolita, found on the opposite side of the street. This fun atmospheric venue had a large outdoor seating space and served modern Georgian and international comfort food. It was particularly good for a weekend brunch feast.

The staff at the front desk double up as a helpful concierge service. We asked numerous questions throughout our stay and they were always eager to help. Tbilisi is a manageable size for a minibreak and very easy to get around by using cheap local taxis. During our three-day trip we tried lots of delicious food – highlights included a meal at Salobie Bia, where a no-fuss local dinner for two including a glass of wine cost just £13. Georgia is known to be the birthplace of wine, with evidence showing the country making alcohol from grapes 8,000 years ago. If that’s your poison, I highly recommend sampling some of the local bottles, we had delicious wine with most meals, and enjoyed visiting G.Vino, a cosy bar in the centre of town with an extensive offering of local natural wines. I was also pleasantly surprised by the burgeoning cocktail scene; we stumbled upon 41 Degrees, a hidden underground bar known for its masterful mixology. For coffee in the city, get your caffeine kicks at Coffee Lab and Skola. 

If time allows, book a day trip to see some of the Georgian countryside. Rooms Hotel Tbilisi organised a comprehensive trip for us to see the Kazbegi mountains, passing wonderful ancient monasteries on route. We stopped for lunch at Rooms Hotel Kazbegi, the sister hotel to our Tbilisi retreat, which has been beautifully designed and has impressive surrounding views. 

Georgia is an exciting, under-the-radar destination that deserves the attention it is finally getting, and with Rooms Hotel Tbilisi and its sister properties, Adjara Group is a key part of this movement, leading the hospitality industry in the country and helping tourism thrive.